You want to make sure you pick a receiver that is the most compatible with products you already own. Do you want support for Google Home? What about wireless multiroom? Then, of course, there is the actual audio quality, which can’t be gauged from a list of specs. Fortunately, even cheap-seat receivers these days support the most sought-after features, from DTS:X and Dolby Atmos to hi-res streaming, 4K and HDR support, and much more. All you really need is a good starting point, and that’s why we’re here.
Yamaha RX-A1080
The best A/V receiver overall
Why you should buy this: It hits the sweet spot with abundant audio and video options, plus a new A.I.-powered surround sound system.
Who it’s for: Those who want total control over their A/V environment.
Why we picked the Yamaha RX-A1080:
We’ve called the Yamaha RX-A1080 the best A/V receiver for music, and with its Yamaha MusiCast multiroom wireless audio system and discrete phono input, that’s certainly true. It’s a 7.2.2 unit but with a twist: If you crave more power for your main channels (front, center, and rears) you can choose to use the included pre-amp outputs for these speakers and use a dedicated amplifier, instead of the powered speaker terminals.
But we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out just how capable this unit is as a powerhouse video system. Naturally, it has support for all of the latest A/V technologies: 4K, HDR (HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision), Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and HDCP 2.2. It’s ready for HDMI-eARC (with a software upgrade) and is compatible with hi-res audio files up to 32-bit/192 kHz.
But you also get some truly advanced features, like its three-way HDMI outputs. These ports give you the option of watching two different video sources on two separate screens simultaneously or the same signal on two screens at once. At the same time, you can use the third port to send uncompressed audio to a soundbar — though why you would do that when you already have a 7.1.2 system at your disposal is anyone’s guess. With seven HDMI inputs, you’ll have lots of room for expansion before needing to look into an external HDMI switcher.
We’re also intrigued by Yamaha’s Surround A.I., a machine-learning system that analyzes your audio and video signals in real time and optimizes the sound based on what’s happening on-screen. The RX-A1080 is one of the most affordable A/V receivers in Yamaha’s lineup that offers Surround A.I., making it a great choice for those who want leading-edge tech at a still-affordable price.
Marantz NR1609
The best A/V receiver for the space-conscious buyer
Why you should buy this: You want a quality receiver with smart features that doesn’t dominate the room.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a feature-packed receiver with a slim footprint.
Why we picked the Marantz NR1609:
A/V receivers are often the largest piece of gear sitting under your TV, and while this isn’t an issue for some, that doesn’t mean everyone is happy with a bulky box. The Marantz NR1609 offers top-notch sound and many of the same features of other receivers on this list, but has a slimmer build and smaller footprint, making it a better option for those who don’t have much space or simply find a smaller piece of gear more aesthetically pleasing.
You do sacrifice a bit on power. The 7.2-channel model is rated at 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms — not exactly a powerhouse compared to some of the other models on this list, but still more than enough for the home theater needs of many. This model features eight HDMI inputs, all of which support HDMI 2.0a with both HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR support, HDCP 2.2, and 4:4:4 color and BT.2020 – making it about as future-proof as you could hope for.
Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are supported out of the box, serving all your object-based audio needs. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are included for wireless connectivity, and so is hi-res audio support at up to DSD 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz in addition to other standard hi-res formats at 24bit/192kHz.
This model also features multiroom integration in the form of AirPlay and HEOS, and is even Alexa-enabled, meaning you can control some features with your voice. It also comes with software for setup and room correction by way of Audyssey MultEQ, the system favored by Marantz and Denon.
If you’re looking for a slim-but-savvy brain to run your home theater, the NR1609 is a fantastic option.
Onkyo TX-RZ820
The best value A/V receiver pick
Why you should buy this: Seven channels of serious power and tons of features at a great price.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a powerful, feature-packed receiver.
Why we picked the Onkyo TX-RZ820:
This 7.2-channel model supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as well as 4K Ultra HD passthrough with HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR support. In addition, this model is THX Select-certified, helping assure it will do your favorite movies justice.
The TX-RX820 offers 130 watts per channel at 8 ohms, and uses Onkyo’s Dynamic Audio Amplification with high-output transformers and customized capacitors to provide powerful, effortless sound. The receiver offers a total of seven HDMI inputs, and two HDMI outputs are included, with one available to be used for a second zone. Wireless connectivity options are plentiful, with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and built-in Chromecast all supported. Streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, and Deezer are included, and so is hi-res audio streaming at 24bit/192kHz and DSD 5.6 MHz.
This model features Onkyo’s AccuEQ room correction, including AccuReflex, and does include a small microphone for measurement. Power users may want to do a manual calibration, however.
How we test
Collectively, the A/V team at Digital Trends has been testing A/V receivers for just over 30 years. Testing takes place both in a dedicated home theater lab at our headquarters in Portland, Oregon, as well as our individual home theater spaces.
Source equipment includes a Roku Streaming Stick+, Oppo UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player, Panasonic UBP900P
Connected speakers include a rotating cast of speakers, including many Dolby Atmos-enabled models. Past test speakers include Pioneer Elite floor standing, bookshelf and center channel speakers, Aperion Audio Verus Grand, Bowers & Wilkins CM8 S2, Elac UB5, Paradigm Monitor 8 subwoofer, and GoldenEar technology SuperSub XXL, though our assortment of test speakers constantly rotates with new models.
Test material includes a wide array 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround encoding, Super Audio CDs, DVD-Audio discs, Redbook CDs, hi-res audio files, and Spotify’s high-quality (320 kbps) music streams.
While we routinely run any given receiver’s auto setup routine to gauge its accuracy and user experience, we ultimately perform a manual calibration using an analog SPL meter, carefully choosing crossover points for connected speakers based on in-room measured low-frequency response. Surround speaker arrangements will vary between 7.2 and 5.2.4.
Receivers are tested for ease-of-use, with special attention paid to how easy it is to stream music to the receiver as well as direct-stream internet radio stations. We also pay attention to how clear on-screen guides and setup instruction will be for novice users.
Sound quality tests include analysis of dynamic expression, overall power, timbre, and tonality, speaker-to-speaker transitions of sound effects, and general soundstage quality.
Is now a good time to buy?
For some time, the rate at which features were being added made buying any A/V receiver a risky proposition if you didn’t want to be stuck with something that quickly went out of date. With 4K, HDR, HDMI, and HDCP seemingly having everything worked out for the
The one area that could possibly change is high-resolution audio, as even many of the above models don’t support everything possible yet, though that is quickly changing as well. If this is very important to you in a receiver, you may want to consider a separate DAC. For everyone else, it’s a fairly safe bet that any of the above models should keep you happy for a long while.
Associated terms
- 4K: Higher resolution than HD (3840 X 2160). Quickly becoming the standard for new TVs.
- Dolby Atmos: One of the two most popular object-based surround formats, Atmos adds height information so sound can seem to come from above and all around you.
- DSD: Direct-Stream Digital. A hi-res audio file format alternative to .WAV, .AIFF, and others that aims to reduce distortion.
- DTS:X: The other most popular object-based audio format, DTS:X can be more flexible than Dolby Atmos when it comes to where speakers are placed and how many of them there are.
- HDCP 2.2: A form of copy protection, this version is required in order to play 4K content.
- HDMI 2.0a: While it isn’t the newest version of HDMI, this version is the first that allows HDR signals and 4K content at up to 60 frames per second.
- HDR: High Dynamic Range, offers better contrast and more color volume than standard dynamic range. Considered by some a bigger visual improvement than 4K resolution.
